The Creation
When our son, Jamie, was very young, we moved into a large house in Toronto fronting on Lawrence Avenue near Ledbury Street.
Along one side of this street was a park, also called Ledbury, in which Jamie had many adventures—as all boys do.
Young boys are inquisitive, imaginative and fearless.
It was down a very steep hill in this park that he took his very first unassisted ride on a two-wheeler bicycle and disappeared out of the sight of his frantic mother, only to end up sprawled, laughing on the grass at the bottom.
I made-up these stories to read to our son when we put him to bed. “Tell me another story, Dad…tell me another story…”
For Jamie, who started it all, and for Jeanie who never lost faith.
About the author
Jay brings over four decades of experience in graphic design, writing, and creative storytelling, with a career that has included running a design studio, typesetting company, and advertising agency. Today, he focuses on a home-based creative practice centered on branding, marketing, and writing engaging stories for children.
The journey into children’s books for ages 3–6 began with a simple moment at home.
“Remember the stories you used to tell Jamie?” his wife asked. “Why not write them down?”
So he did—capturing five of those bedtime stories in just one week. Inspired by the magic of those early wins (and perhaps a bit ambitious), Jay set out to create a full series of imaginative, age-appropriate stories for young children.
What followed was more than just writing. It became a process of refining each story through careful editing, shaping language for young readers, and rediscovering the rhythm of storytelling that captures the attention of preschool and early readers. Along the way, Jay also took on illustration, returning to painting after more than 40 years to create a warm, mixed-media style that brings each story to life.
The result is the Jamie, Lord of Ledbury series, a collection of charming, creative children’s books designed for ages 3–6, filled with adventure, imagination, and the kind of storytelling that began at bedtime and grew into something much more.
Be a storyteller!
Why not be a storyteller? Try using a different voice for every character and ask a question after each chapter.
What do you think that chapter was about? What might happen next? What lesson could be learned from this story?
Each story has an important life lesson.
What about those weird words?
Engage your child in the story and have fun with the made-up words like arghhhh, wheeee and scrape-scratch.
Also, take your child to the library or a reading at a local children’s bookstore. Be a book booster!
